Back
15.03.2023Europa League

Hradecky ahead of #FTCB04: Be humble and work hard

The Werkself visit the Hungarian capital one week after the 2-0 home win against Ferencváros in the first leg of the Europa League Round of 16 tie with eyes focused on the target of reaching the quarter-finals. Head coach Xabi Alonso and captain Lukas Hradecky talked at the pre-match press conference ahead of the game on Thursday 16 March (kick-off: 21.00 CET) about the situation in the tie and the great football euphoria in Hungary – which goalkeeper Hradecky is very familiar with.

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

The Werkself had just three days to recover after the energy-sapping 3-2 away win at Werder Bremen. Head coach Xabi Alonso declared at the pre-match press conference that his team has "good energy" in spite of that.

Not just the energy but also the mood within his team gives the Spaniard confidence looking at the second leg against the Hungarian record champions and record cup winners. Alonso added: "We are ready for the game and looking forward to this European night with a great atmosphere!"

over 65,000 Fans in the stands

The Werkself play Ferencváros on Thursday night at the Puskas Arena, Hungary's national stadium. The biggest ground in the land, opened in 2019 and also the venue for this year's Europa League final, has a capacity of over 65,000 and will be very close to being sold out on Thursday night.

crop_20230315_JS_FTC_B04_MD1_0693.jpg

One person who is very familiar with the football euphoria in Hungary is Lukas Hradecky. The Werkself captain has played in Budapest several times in the past with the Finnish national team: "I know the Hungarian fans, they support their teams from the first minute. There will be a really good atmosphere and it will be a great experience!"

The situation ahead of the second leg is better compared with the play-off against AS Monaco (3-2 defeat in first leg), "nevertheless we have to be aware that Ferencváros are capable of turning round this Round of 16 game," said Hradecky who finish by saying: "We have to be humble and work hard."

Related News

Julia Mickenhagen verlässt Bayer 04
Women - 12.05.2026

Julia Mickenhagen to move to VfB Stuttgart

Full-back Julia Mickenhagen is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen at the end of the season to join Bundesliga newcomers VfB Stuttgart. The 21-year-old’s contract with the club expires on 30 June.

Show more
Women keep Champions League hopes alive with win in Leipzig | 25th matchday
Werkself-TV - 11.05.2026

Women: TV-highlights of 3-1 win at RB Leipzig

Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 3-1 win at RB Leipzig on the 25th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.

Show more
Zweikampf im Training
Women - 10.05.2026

Bayer 04 Women looking to keep Champions League hopes alive at Leipzig

The Werkself need a win in their penultimate match of the season at RB Leipzig on Monday evening (18:00 CEST) to keep their hopes of third place alive until the final day. After Eintracht Frankfurt lost on Saturday, Roberto Pätzold's side can close the gap on their rivals to two points and leave it all to play for next Sunday.

Show more
Werkself Warriors Celebrate First Season Together
Fans - 10.05.2026

Werkself Warriors Celebrate First Season Together

Werkself fans from across the New York City area gathered Saturday morning at Smithfield Hall in Manhattan to cheer on Bayer 04 in the club’s crucial Bundesliga showdown against VfB Stuttgart given the match’s big implications.

Show more
Die Werkself nach Abpfiff bei den mitgereisten Fans
Bundesliga - 10.05.2026

Werkself Review #VfBB04: Determined to end on a high at home

In the next head-to-head clash for the Champions League places at VfB Stuttgart, Bayer 04 failed to follow up their impressive 4-1 win at home to RB Leipzig from the week before. After Aleix Garcia gave the Werkself the lead with their fastest goal of the season, the Swabians turned the game around and won 3-1, knocking Leverkusen down into sixth place. It leaves them needing a win at home to Hamburger SV and other results to go their way on the final day of the 2025/26 campaign in order to reclaim fourth spot. The Werkself Review has all the analysis and reaction from all those involved in an eventful encounter with VfB.

Show more